FIFA Soccer 13 - PS Vita

Release Date:

Also on:

Viewing USA:

Summary:

FIFA Soccer 13 on PS Vita gives you the same physics-based, data driven technology that powers FIFA gameplay on PlayStation3. Take part in eight different game modes, including 11 vs. 11, Tournament Mode with over 50 real-world competitions, a full in-depth Career Mode, and head-to-head online. Innovations that utilize a rear touch pad and touchscreen create an intelligent and unique gameplay experience. Rear touch pad shooting delivers pin-point accuracy and removes the element of “hit and hope” from shooting and touchscreen passing opens up the field of play for more creative and precision passing.

8.1

FIFA Soccer 13 was developed and released by EA, and turns out to be a sad letdown for fans of the series (of which there are many). Despite excellent sales for the game overall, those thinking of buying it for a Nintendo console or handheld should think again. The game is nearly identical to FIFA 12 in terms of style and gameplay, and seems to have been updated little other than new skins.

FIFA Soccer 13 was widely reviewed and considered to be an excellent addition to the series. Scored at 90/100 by Metacritic, the aggregate scorer, and the game was praised for easy-to-learn controls, great offline modes and plenty of extras. Unfortunately, Nintendo fans are getting something else entirely. From the menus to the poses of background images, the game is identical to FIFA 12 in all the ways that matter. Although there are slight changes to the surface of things, this isn't enough to justify the hefty price tag of a game in a dominating franchise.

IGN contacted EA about this (specifically the PS Vita version), asking what had been updated. EA's response was typical PR, saying that the skins, team rosters and other features were up-to-date, and claiming they "felt it was important to continue to offer fans the opportunity to play an authentic football experience..." The game should be titled something different on the 3DS, because it really isn't the same game as FIFA Soccer 13 on the other consoles.

Despite all of this, the actual gameplay isn't all that bad. After all, it's just as good as FIFA 12; it just looks different (slightly) and comes with a higher price tag. Players will be able to pick from over 45 playable teams and, with the ever-popular career mode, there is plenty of replay value. Once again it must be stated, however, that if you've played FIFA 12 you won't be getting anything new that is noteworthy. There are no new modes and nothing to set it apart.

Reviews of the game were mostly good, but the "player scoring" section of Metacritic (which is for the game overall, and not for any particular platform) is weighted down by players that were disappointed by the game's performance on PS Vita, the Nintendo Wii and the 3DS, giving an aggregate score of 58/100. Out of 76 reviews, 34 were negative. Only 29 were positive, leaving the remainder mixed.

All in all, it feels as though EA is trying to dupe costumers of certain versions of the game into buying something a year old. While many companies do this, they usually title it in such a way as to indicate that fact, or they sell it as cheap DLC for particular consoles. In this case, the game is named FIFA Soccer 13, despite looking exactly the same as previous versions in the series and having very little in common with its brothers on other major consoles. It is better advised to save your money, or buy an older version of what is, in essence, the same game.